Michigan Football

94′ Alumnus: Whenever you read about Mike Barwis’s strength and conditioning program, you invariably hear about Terrance Taylor’s development. Who else has really benefited from this new program?
A lot of the players who have made the most progress are defensive linemen. Junior defensive end Brandon Graham has not only slimmed down, but his mental game is much improved.
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Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez has toed the line between holding physical practices and not getting his players hurt.
As a handful of players sat outside lines during today's practice wearing red jerseys, meaning they were out with an injury, the Wolverines are really beginning to feel the danger of physical practices.
Redshirt junior right guard Cory Zirbel's knee injury may be "long-term," according to Rodriguez.

Michigan defensive line coach Bruce Tall had an unenviable task in January shortly after taking that job.
Toledo, Ohio is part of his recruiting territory, meaning it was his job to visit freshman offensive lineman Elliot Mealer, whose father and girlfriend died in a car crash on Christmas Eve on their way to Church. Mealer's 23-year-old brother, Brock, was paralyzed in the accident, too.
Tall said he was a little apprehensive about the visit, but it went smoothly.

Michigan lost its all-time leading rusher in Mike Hart. And his two most-experienced replacements, juniors Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor, have been hampered by injuries.
With so much uncertainty at quarterback and on the offensive line, the Wolverines can’t afford to see another position group struggle.
Luckily for Michigan, it has what running backs coach Fred Jackson calls the best two running backs in the same class in his 17 years with the Wolverines — freshmen Michael Shaw and Sam McGuffie.

By just talking to redshirt junior running back Kevin Grady today, you wouldn’t have the slightest idea he’s not back on track after an ACL tear sideline the rivals.com five-star player for all of last season.
Grady started at running back in Michigan’s spring game in April. And he’s excited about the open competition for playing time under Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
“I really can’t put into words how happy I am, and excited I am, about being able to go and play in that stadium again,” Grady said.

Freshman long snapper George Morales might have the most curious scholarship situation of anyone on the Michigan football team.
Few long snappers receive a scholarship out of high school, but Morales was offered one by former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
After the Las Vegas native won a long-snapping competition at Michigan’s high school camp last summer, Carr called Morales into his office and offered him a scholarship. Morales wanted to accept on the spot, but Carr told him to take some time to consider and to talk with his family. About a week later, Morales committed.

Freshman wide receiver Roy Roundtree couldn’t sleep the night before national signing day in February. He was debating whether to stick with his oral commitment to Purdue or switch to Michigan, so he called his uncle for advice.
“ ‘Do you want to go to a winning tradition, or do you want to go to a school really in the Big Ten, always at the bottom?’ ” Roundtree said his uncle asked him. “Well, I was like, ‘I want to win. I want to have a nice college life. So I want to go to a school that’s going to win and produce players.’ ”

The Dog: Who do you think will be the offensive MVP this year?
If either redshirt freshman Steven Threet or redshirt sophomore Nick Sheridan comes around at quarterback, it will takes at least a few games, which eliminates them.
Even if one of the quarterbacks plays well, they will spread the ball around to so many receivers and tight ends that those guys don’t make sense here.
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Photo Gallery
Michigan Stadium has been nearly unrecognizable to anyone passing by in the last several months.
But the construction to add suites and premium seating in time for the 2010 season hasn’t changed the look from within much.
A couple of months after Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and recruits went into the stadium, University architect Doug Hanna led the media in a tour of the construction.

Anyone who has met Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, or even seen him on television, can identify his fierce competitiveness.
And he’s trying to instill that same attitude in his team. All the players have been divided into “Wolverine Teams” and try to earn points for their team. There was a draft in the spring to pick teams, but, during the fall, the players are in eight teams based on their position.